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Overview

This MST (Multi-Stream Transport) hub lets you connect three HDMI monitors to your USB-C™ computer. MST ensures hassle-free setup by natively working on any Windows® device that supports DP Alt Mode over USB Type-C™, such as models of Dell™ Precision™ and Dell XPS™ laptops and ASUS® ROG GL752.

Increase your productivity with multiple monitors

The newest generation of laptops are more portable than ever. Unfortunately, this means you’re left with fewer video outputs and a small integrated screen. This MST hub solves these problems by letting you connect three displays to a single USB-C port on your computer, which makes multitasking much easier.

Using the MST hub, you can extend your desktop onto additional monitors and stream independent content to each display. This makes it easier to multitask and increase your productivity, which is perfect for creating an easy-to-dock hot-desk solution with a wireless keyboard and mouse peripheral set.

You can also mirror the same image onto multiple displays for remote viewing applications such as digital signage.

Astonishing picture quality that won’t drain your system resources

MST technology uses your existing video card to minimize the use of system resources while delivering Ultra HD 4K resolutions. 4K is supported by the latest A/V devices and delivers four times the resolution of 1080p. Plus, because the MST hub can output high-definition 1080p, the MST hub is perfect for high-resolution applications such as graphic design and medical imaging.

The MSTCDP123HD is backed by a 2-year StarTech.com warranty and free lifetime technical support.

Note: MST shares 21.6Gbps across all attached displays. Higher resolutions can restrict the available bandwidth with the remaining ports, please see our guidelines below for determining an ideal resolution for your setup. Certain graphics adapters have limited MST support and will only output to three displays in total. If more than three monitors are attached, the fourth will be disabled.

Data Sheets

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Buy

You may have heard of MST hubs, and have been wondering what they are, and whether or not they will work in your setup.

So what are MST hubs? MST hubs are devices that take one DisplayPort or Mini DisplayPort video connection, and go to many video connections, usually extra DisplayPort, Mini DisplayPort, DVI or HDMI connections. This is accomplished through DisplayPort's MST, or Multi Stream Transport function. MST hubs allow you to mirror / duplicate your monitors so the same window are shown on all of the monitors, or extend your desktop, so that you can have different window on each monitor.

So how can you tell if you can use a MST hub? MST hubs require that the video card's DisplayPort or Mini DisplayPort output support DP1.2 or greater, which supports MST. Some MST hubs also specifically require HBR2, or High Bit Rate 2 support. HBR2 allows for higher resolutions like 4K and up. You can check whether or not a StarTech.com MST hub requires HBR2 on the individual product pages, under the Technical Specifications tab.

There are a few other important things to note.

Video cards can technically support DP1.2, but not support MST or HBR2, so it is important to check with your video card manufacturer that your video card specifically supports DP1.2, MST, and HBR2 (if necessary).

Currently Mac OSX does not support MST hubs, regardless of whether or not the video card does. This is an operating system restriction, so running Windows on an Apple computer through a program like Bootcamp will allow you to use MST hubs.

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Recent versions of DisplayPort include the ability to split to multiple displays from one DisplayPort connection using Multi-Stream Transport (MST).

Although you will be able to connect the MST hub to the Mini DisplayPort (mDP) connection on your Mac, Mac OSX does not support MST for NVIDIA and Intel Graphics Processor Units (GPUs). This results in a mirrored image across the outputs of a MST hub and you will not be able to have multiple independent displays on your Mac.

The limitation of NVIDIA and Intel GPUs lies within Mac OSX. If a different operating system is used, such as Microsoft Windows via Bootcamp, you may be able to use the MST functionality of your Mac.

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You cannot use an MST hub to increase the maximum number of displays that a video card supports. For example, if your video card only supports up to three displays, your display limit will still be three displays even if you use an MST hub.

If you have multiple MST hubs connected to the same computer and are experiencing display issues, you should check your video card to make sure that it can support the number of displays that you are using in your setup.

Not all USB-C ports or devices are capable of supporting all of the features listed above, or all of the features at the maximum capabilities. If you require a specific USB-C feature, your USB host connection, cables, and device must all support the feature that you require. For more information about whether your components support specific USB-C features, refer to the information provided by the manufacturers.

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Troubleshooting

When you troubleshoot issues with an MST hub, there are some quick tests that you can complete to rule out potential problems. You can test to make sure that the following components are working correctly and are not the source of the issue:

Video cables

Video source

Video destination

MST Hub

To test your setup components, try the following:

Use the video cables, video source, video destination, and MST hub in another setup to see if the problem is with the components or the setup.

Use a different video cable, video source, video destination, and MST hub in your setup to see if the problem persists. Ideally, you should test a component that you know works in another setup.

When you test your cables, it is recommended that you do the following:

Test each cable individually.

Use short cables when you are testing.

Eliminate the use of adapters, extenders, or splitters where possible.

When you test the MST hub with your computer system, do the following:

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If you are experiencing flickering issues with the MST hub, your monitors may be at a 59 Hz refresh rate. If they are at 59 Hz, you need to adjust the refresh rate to 60 Hz. In order to change your monitor's refresh rate, complete the following:

Right-click anywhere on your desktop.

Click Screen resolution or Display settings.

At the top of the screen, select the monitor that you want to change the refresh rate for.

Click Advanced settings or Display adapter properties.

On the Monitor tab, click the Screen refresh rate drop-down list.

Note: This step may vary depending on your operating system and graphics card.

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In order for your mouse to move properly between your monitors you must rearrange your monitors in Windows to match the physical location of your monitors on your desk. To do so, complete the following based on your operating system:

Windows 10 and Windows 8

On your keyboard, press the Windows key + X and select Control Panel.

Click Appearance and Personalization, then click Display.

Click the Resolution or Adjust Resolution option from the left column, which will display your monitors as numbered icons.

Click Identify to display the numbers on each connected monitor, showing how the operating system has assigned their positions.

Click and drag the monitor icons to best match your physical setup.

Click OK to apply the changes and close the window.

Windows 7 and Windows Vista

Click the Start button and select Control Panel.

Click Appearance and Personalization, then click Display.

Click the Resolution or Adjust Resolution option from the left column, which will display your monitors as numbered icons.

Click Identify to display the numbers on each connected monitor, showing how the operating system has assigned their positions.

Click and drag the monitor icons to best match your physical setup.

Click OK to apply the changes and close the window.

Windows XP

Click the Start button and select Control Panel.

Double-click Display.

Click the Settings tab, which will display your monitors as numbered icons.

Click Identify to display the numbers on each connected monitor, showing how the operating system has assigned their positions.